Steel Front has delivered three Swedish tactical boats to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to support its defenses against Russia’s aggression.
The company announcement revealed that the vehicles are CB90 fast assault craft originally developed by shipbuilder Saab’s Dockstavarvet for the Swedish Navy.
The CB90 measures 15.9 meters (52 feet) and has a beam of 3.8 meters (12.6 feet).
It is powered by twin 625-horsepower diesel engines and two water jets for a maximum speed of 40 knots (74 kilometers/46 miles per hour) and a range of 240 nautical miles (440 kilometers).
The vessel is operated by a crew of three and can carry more than 20 amphibious personnel.
Common equipment employed by the CB90 include Browning machine guns, naval mines, grenade launchers, remote-controlled weapon stations, and depth charges.
Supporting Ukraine
Steel Front noted that the CB90s and associated training provided to Ukrainian warfighters cost more than $4.1 million.
Since Russia’s advancement to Kyiv in February 2022, the company has provided over $200 million in support for both the Ukrainian military and civilians.
Steel Front is owned by Rinat Akhmetov, a Ukrainian billionaire and former Verkhovna Rada unicameral parliament member who sued the Russian government in the European Court of Human Rights for damages to his conglomerate during the attacks.
The firm operates under Metinvest Holdings, a multinational mining and metals group also owned by Akhmetov.
Western partners highly appreciate the capabilities of CB-90 ships purchased by the "Steel Front" for the DIU. The Ukrainian army will soon receive even more new "gifts" from Rinat Akhmetov's military initiative!#UkraineWar #BlackSea #Crimea https://t.co/F9prdOEwxY
— Steel Front (@SteelFront_ENG) July 3, 2024
“We are very pleased these boats are now in the hands of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Including arranging crew training, the whole process has taken six months,” Metinvest CEO Office Head Oleksandr Vodoviz said in a press release.
“The Steel Front’s role is to support Ukraine and Ukrainians in any way we can, to ensure the aggressor’s ultimate defeat.”
“There is no doubt the Black Sea is an important front and our aim is that these powerful boats will make a significant difference to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.”
Vessels for Ukraine
Ukraine is expecting more surface vehicles from international partners to boost its armed forces’ capabilities against Russia’s continuing aggression.
Ottawa verified in June that it will supply 10 rigid-hull boats to Kyiv on top of combat support vehicles, drones, and weapons as part of the Canadian Ministry of Defence’s donations to Ukraine.
In May, Australia delivered Sentinel inflatable boats to Ukraine as part of $65.6 million in military aid.
Last year, the Netherlands pledged two Alkmaar-class mine countermeasure vessels for Ukraine, while Turkey simultaneously commenced the construction of an Ada-class corvette for the country.
In 2022, the US announced 23 Metal Shark military vessels for Kyiv under a $450-million assistance package for its fight against Russia.